Johannes de Evangelist verslindt het boek 1629 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, *Johannes de Evangelist verslindt het boek,* in the 17th century. During this time, the religious and political landscapes of Europe were undergoing dramatic transformations, deeply influencing artistic expression. Here, we see John the Evangelist not just reading, but devouring a book, a symbolic act that transcends simple literacy. It speaks to the internalization of knowledge, a theme resonant in the Reformation era where personal interpretation of religious texts challenged established orthodoxies. The angel, rendered with both power and ethereal beauty, bridges the divine and mortal realms. The pillars connect Earth and sea. This image invites us to consider the power of the written word. What does it mean to consume knowledge so completely that it becomes a part of you? How does this act of consumption relate to personal and collective identities, especially in a time of religious and intellectual upheaval? Sichem urges us to think about the intimacy and intensity of engaging with ideas that shape our world.